GERMANY TO ASSIST IN SUCCEEDING LONDON CONFERENCE ON YEMEN

SANA'A, Jan.11 (Saba) - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
confirmed here on Monday that his country would exert its efforts
with the European Union (EU) to succeed the London conference on
Yemen.

In his meeting with President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Mr. Westerwelle
affirmed that his country would also support the proposal of
establishing Yemen Friends Fund to support Yemen developmentally and
strengthen its capabilities in counterterrorism field.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the bilateral relations
and joint cooperation relations between the two friendly countries
including the developmental field and combating terrorism and
maritime piracy.

They talked about the London conference on Yemen scheduled to be
held on January 28 and the importance of coming out of it with the
desired outcomes to support Yemen developmentally and in
counterterrorism field.

The German official affirmed his country's support to Yemen and its
unity, security, stability and development process, expressing his
thanks and appreciation for the efforts exerted by Yemen to release
the German nationals and British national kidnapped in Saada
province last year.

Furthermore, he also voiced Germany's support to the President
Saleh's call for national dialog with all political and social
parties and civil society organizations in the country, pointing
that dialog is the best way to address Yemen issues.

For his part, President Saleh praised the German constant support to
Yemen at all levels, affirming the important role could be played by
Germany within the EU to succeed the London conference.

He noted to the Yemeni-German relations, indicating that they are
historical relations based on friendship and cooperation.

The German minister and his accompanying delegation left Sana'a
later on Monday after an official short visit to Yemen, which comes
within his current tour to a number of the GCC states.

BA